EU slams Turkish PM's media boycott calls

PanARMENIAN.Net - The European Union is closely monitoring Turkey after harsh statements Prime Minister Erdogan made regarding the country's media, a European official said.



Freedom of the press is a basic requirement of the EU's political criteria, Marc Pierini, head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Turkey, told Milliyet daily.



"As far as we are concerned, it is of great importance that media make objective judgments and reach resources equally," said Pierini, adding that this situation might be displeasing for politicians, stopping short of naming Erdogan.



The Prime Minister repeated this week his call to "boycott media", saying that certain newspaper had twisted remarks he made regarding Gaza during his talks in Brussels.



"Do not buy those newspapers. Truth is not what they wrote. In my meetings in Brussels, they told me (you have imposed a ban on the press). No, I have not. But I have used civilian initiative. Let's boycott the media that covers false stories," Erdogan had told his party meeting on Tuesday.



Erdogan attracted the EU's attention again last November when he called for a boycott against Dogan Media Group publications, on their coverage of corruption cases with connections to the ruling party.